ŚÁRNGARAVA.--Thus is it that burning remorse must ever follow rash actions which might have been avoided, and for which one has only one's self to blame. Not hastily should marriage be contracted, And specially in secret. Many a time, In hearts that know not each the other's fancies, Fond love is changed into most bitter hate. KING.--How now! Do you give credence to this woman rather than to me, that you heap such accusations on me? ŚÁRNGARAVA [_sarcastically_].--That would be too absurd, certainly. You have heard the proverb-- Hold in contempt the innocent words of those Who from their infancy have known no guile:-- But trust the treacherous counsels of the man Who makes a very science of deceit. KING.--Most veracious Bráhman, grant that you are in the right, what end would be gained by betraying this lady? ŚÁRNGARAVA.--Ruin. KING.--No one will believe that a Prince of Puru's race would seek to ruin others or himself. ŚÁRADWATA.--This altercation is idle, Śárngarava. We have executed the commission of our preceptor; come, let us return. [_To the King_. Śakoontalá is certainly thy bride; Receive her or reject her, she is thine. Do with her, King, according to thy pleasure-- The husband o'er the wife is absolute. Go on before us, Gautamí. [_They move away_. ŚAKOONTALÁ.--What! is it not enough to have been betrayed by this perfidious man? Must you also forsake me, regardless of my tears and lamentations? [_Attempts to follow them_. GAUTAMÍ [_stopping_].--My son Śárngarava, see, Śakoontalá is following us, and with tears implores us not to leave her. Alas! poor child, what will she do here with a cruel husband who casts her from him? ŚÁRNGARAVA [_turning angrily towards her_].--Wilful woman, dost thou seek to be independent of thy lord? [_Śakoontalá trembles with fear_. ŚÁRNGARAVA.--Śakoontalá! If thou art really what the King proclaims thee, How can thy father e'er receive thee back Into his house and home? but, if thy conscience Be witness to thy purity of soul, E'en should thy husband to a handmaid's lot Condemn thee, thou may'st cheerfully endure it, When ranked among the number of his household. Thy duty, therefore, is to stay. As for us, we must return immediately. KING.--Deceive not the lady, my good hermit, by any such expectations. The moon expands the lotus of the night, The rising sun awakes the lily; each Is with his own contented. Even so The virtuous man is master of his passions, And from another's wife averts his gaze. ŚÁRNGARAVA.--Since thy union with another woman has rendered thee oblivious of thy marriage with Śakoontalá, whence this fear of losing thy character for constancy and virtue?